Search

The emission of muonium ($\mu^+e^-$) atoms into vacuum from silica aerogel with laser ablation on its surface was studied with various ablation structures at room temperature using the subsurface muon beams at TRIUMF and Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). Laser ablation was applied to produce holes or grooves with typical dimensions of a few hundred $\mu$m to a few mm, except for some extreme conditions. The measured emission rate tends to be higher for larger fractions of ablation opening and for shallower depths. More than a few ablation structures reach the emission rates similar to the highest achieved in the past measurements. The emission rate is found to be stable at least for a couple of days. Measurements of spin precession amplitudes for the produced muonium atoms and remaining muons in a magnetic field determine a muonium formation fraction of $(65.5 \pm 1.8)$%. The precession of the polarized muonium atoms is also observed clearly in vacuum. A projection of the emission rates measured at TRIUMF to the corresponding rates at J-PARC is demonstrated taking the different beam condition into account reasonably., Comment: 34 pages, 13 figures, submitted to PTEP

Published data on the emission of charged particles following nuclear muon capture are extremely limited. In addition to its interest as a probe of the nuclear response, these data are important for the design of some current searches for lepton flavor violation. This work presents momentum spectra of protons and deuterons following $\mu^{-}$ capture in aluminum. It is the first measurement of a muon capture process performed with a tracking spectrometer. A precision of better than 10% over the momentum range of 100--190 MeV/c for protons is obtained; for deuterons of 145--250 MeV/c the precision is better than 20%. The observed partial yield of protons with emission momenta above 80 MeV/c (kinetic energy 3.4 MeV) is $0.0322\pm0.0007(\text{stat})\pm0.0022(\text{syst})$ per capture, and for deuterons above 130 MeV/c (4.5 MeV) it is $0.0122\pm0.0009(\text{stat})\pm0.0006(\text{syst})$. Extrapolating to total yields gives $0.045\pm0.001(\text{stat})\pm0.003(\text{syst}) \pm 0.001(\text{extrapolation})$ per capture for protons and $0.018\pm0.001(\text{stat})\pm0.001(\text{syst})\pm 0.002(\text{extrapolation})$ for deuterons, which are the most precise measurements of these quantities to date., Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures

Published data on the emission of charged particles following nuclear muon capture are extremely limited. In addition to its interest as a probe of the nuclear response, these data are important for the design of some current searches for lepton flavor violation. This work presents momentum spectra of protons and deuterons following $\mu^{-}$ capture in aluminum. It is the first measurement of a muon capture process performed with a tracking spectrometer. A precision of better than 10% over the momentum range of 100--190 MeV/c for protons is obtained; for deuterons of 145--250 MeV/c the precision is better than 20%. The observed partial yield of protons with emission momenta above 80 MeV/c (kinetic energy 3.4 MeV) is $0.0322\pm0.0007(\text{stat})\pm0.0022(\text{syst})$ per capture, and for deuterons above 130 MeV/c (4.5 MeV) it is $0.0122\pm0.0009(\text{stat})\pm0.0006(\text{syst})$. Extrapolating to total yields gives $0.045\pm0.001(\text{stat})\pm0.003(\text{syst}) \pm 0.001(\text{extrapolation})$ per capture for protons and $0.018\pm0.001(\text{stat})\pm0.001(\text{syst})\pm 0.002(\text{extrapolation})$ for deuterons, which are the most precise measurements of these quantities to date., Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures

This paper introduces a new approach to measure the muon magnetic moment anomaly $a_{\mu} = (g-2)/2$, and the muon electric dipole moment (EDM) $d_{\mu}$ at the J-PARC muon facility. The goal of our experiment is to measure $a_{\mu}$ and $d_{\mu}$ using an independent method with a factor of 10 lower muon momentum, and a factor of 20 smaller diameter storage-ring solenoid compared with previous and ongoing muon $g-2$ experiments with unprecedented quality of the storage magnetic field. Additional significant differences from the present experimental method include a factor of 1,000 smaller transverse emittance of the muon beam (reaccelerated thermal muon beam), its efficient vertical injection into the solenoid, and tracking each decay positron from muon decay to obtain its momentum vector. The precision goal for $a_{\mu}$ is statistical uncertainty of 450 part per billion (ppb), similar to the present experimental uncertainty, and a systematic uncertainty less than 70 ppb. The goal for EDM is a sensitivity of $1.5\times 10^{-21}~e\cdot\mbox{cm}$., Comment: 24 pages, 14 figures

Lepton family number violation is tested by searching for $\mu^+\to e^+X^0$ decays among the 5.8$\times 10^8$ positive muon decay events analyzed by the TWIST collaboration. Limits are set on the production of both massless and massive $X^0$ bosons. The large angular acceptance of this experiment allows limits to be placed on anisotropic $\mu^+\to e^+X^0$ decays, which can arise from interactions violating both lepton flavor and parity conservation. Branching ratio limits of order $10^{-5}$ are obtained for bosons with masses of 13 - 80 MeV/c$^2$ and with different decay asymmetries. For bosons with masses less than 13 MeV/c$^{2}$ the asymmetry dependence is much stronger and the 90% limit on the branching ratio varies up to $5.8 \times 10^{-5}$. This is the first study that explicitly evaluates the limits for anisotropic two body muon decays., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, accepted by PRD

Lepton family number violation is tested by searching for $\mu^+\to e^+X^0$ decays among the 5.8$\times 10^8$ positive muon decay events analyzed by the TWIST collaboration. Limits are set on the production of both massless and massive $X^0$ bosons. The large angular acceptance of this experiment allows limits to be placed on anisotropic $\mu^+\to e^+X^0$ decays, which can arise from interactions violating both lepton flavor and parity conservation. Branching ratio limits of order $10^{-5}$ are obtained for bosons with masses of 13 - 80 MeV/c$^2$ and with different decay asymmetries. For bosons with masses less than 13 MeV/c$^{2}$ the asymmetry dependence is much stronger and the 90% limit on the branching ratio varies up to $5.8 \times 10^{-5}$. This is the first study that explicitly evaluates the limits for anisotropic two body muon decays., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, accepted by PRD

Emission of muonium ($\mu^{+}e^{-}$) atoms from silica aerogel into vacuum was observed. Characteristics of muonium emission were established from silica aerogel samples with densities in the range from 29 mg cm$^{-3}$ to 178 mg cm$^{-3}$. Spectra of muonium decay times correlated with distances from the aerogel surfaces, which are sensitive to the speed distributions, follow general features expected from a diffusion process, while small deviations from a simple room-temperature thermal diffusion model are identified. The parameters of the diffusion process are deduced from the observed yields., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, submitted to PTEP

The TWIST Collaboration has completed its measurement of the three muon decay parameters \rho, \delta, and P_\mu\xi. This paper describes our determination of \rho, which governs the shape of the overall momentum spectrum, and \delta, which controls the momentum dependence of the parity-violating decay asymmetry. The results are \rho=0.74977\pm 0.00012(stat.)\pm 0.00023(syst.) and \delta = 0.75049\pm 0.00021(stat.)\pm 0.00027(syst.). These are consistent with the value of 3/4 given for both parameters in the standard model, and each is over a factor of 10 more precise than the measurements published prior to TWIST. Our final results on \rho, \delta, and P_\mu\xi have been incorporated into a new global analysis of all available muon decay data, resulting in improved model-independent constraints on the possible weak interactions of right-handed particles., Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures

We present a new high precision measurement of parity violation in the weak interaction, using polarized muon decay. The TWIST collaboration has measured $P_\mu^\pi \xi$, where $P_\mu^\pi$ is the polarization of the muon in pion decay and $\xi$ describes the intrinsic asymmetry in muon decay. We find $P_\mu^\pi \xi = 1.00084 \pm 0.00029\,(\textrm{stat.})_{-0.00063}^{+0.00165}\,(\textrm{syst.})$, in good agreement with the standard model prediction of $P_\mu^\pi=\xi=1$. Our result is a factor of 7 more precise than the pre-TWIST value, setting new limits in left-right symmetric electroweak extensions to the standard model., Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, published in Phys. Rev. D

The TWIST Collaboration has completed its measurement of the three muon decay parameters \rho, \delta, and P_\mu\xi. This paper describes our determination of \rho, which governs the shape of the overall momentum spectrum, and \delta, which controls the momentum dependence of the parity-violating decay asymmetry. The results are \rho=0.74977\pm 0.00012(stat.)\pm 0.00023(syst.) and \delta = 0.75049\pm 0.00021(stat.)\pm 0.00027(syst.). These are consistent with the value of 3/4 given for both parameters in the standard model, and each is over a factor of 10 more precise than the measurements published prior to TWIST. Our final results on \rho, \delta, and P_\mu\xi have been incorporated into a new global analysis of all available muon decay data, resulting in improved model-independent constraints on the possible weak interactions of right-handed particles., Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures

We present a new high precision measurement of parity violation in the weak interaction, using polarized muon decay. The TWIST collaboration has measured $P_\mu^\pi \xi$, where $P_\mu^\pi$ is the polarization of the muon in pion decay and $\xi$ describes the intrinsic asymmetry in muon decay. We find $P_\mu^\pi \xi = 1.00084 \pm 0.00029\,(\textrm{stat.})_{-0.00063}^{+0.00165}\,(\textrm{syst.})$, in good agreement with the standard model prediction of $P_\mu^\pi=\xi=1$. Our result is a factor of 7 more precise than the pre-TWIST value, setting new limits in left-right symmetric electroweak extensions to the standard model., Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, published in Phys. Rev. D

The TWIST Collaboration has completed a new measurement of the energy-angle spectrum of positrons from the decay of highly polarized muons. A simultaneous measurement of the muon decay parameters {\rho}, {\delta}, and (P_{\mu}){\xi} tests the Standard Model (SM) in a purely leptonic process and provides improved limits for relevant extensions to the SM. Specifically, for the generalized left-right symmetric model |(g_R/g_L){\zeta}|<0.020 and (g_L/g_R)m_2> 578 GeV/c^2, both 90% C.L.

The TRIUMF Weak Interaction Symmetry Test (TWIST) experiment was designed to test the standard model at high precision in the purely leptonic decay of polarized muons. A general four-fermion interaction model is used to describe the muon decay. TWIST measures three of the four muon decay parameters of this model, $\rho$, $\delta$ and $P_{\mu}^{\pi} \xi$, from the shape of the momentum-angle spectrum. The results of this model independent approach are compared to the standard model predictions and used to constrain new physics. Our collaboration has finalized the blind analysis of the final experimental data taken in 2006 and 2007. This analysis mostly reached our goal of a precision of an order of magnitude improvement over the pre-TWIST measurements., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, proceedings for the Lake Louise Winter Institute 2010

The TRIUMF Weak Interaction Symmetry Test (TWIST) experiment was designed to test the standard model at high precision in the purely leptonic decay of polarized muons. A general four-fermion interaction model is used to describe the muon decay. TWIST measures three of the four muon decay parameters of this model, $\rho$, $\delta$ and $P_{\mu}^{\pi} \xi$, from the shape of the momentum-angle spectrum. The results of this model independent approach are compared to the standard model predictions and used to constrain new physics. Our collaboration has finalized the blind analysis of the final experimental data taken in 2006 and 2007. This analysis mostly reached our goal of a precision of an order of magnitude improvement over the pre-TWIST measurements., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, proceedings for the Lake Louise Winter Institute 2010

The TWIST Collaboration has completed a new measurement of the energy-angle spectrum of positrons from the decay of highly polarized muons. A simultaneous measurement of the muon decay parameters {\rho}, {\delta}, and (P_{\mu}){\xi} tests the Standard Model (SM) in a purely leptonic process and provides improved limits for relevant extensions to the SM. Specifically, for the generalized left-right symmetric model |(g_R/g_L){\zeta}|<0.020 and (g_L/g_R)m_2> 578 GeV/c^2, both 90% C.L.

Using a narrow band positron beam, the response of a large high-resolution NaI(Tl) crystal to an incident positron beam was measured. It was found that nuclear interactions cause the appearance of additional peaks in the low energy tail of the deposited energy spectrum.

An extension of the TRIUMF M13 low-energy pion channel designed to suppress positrons based on an energy-loss technique is described. A source of beam channel momentum calibration from the decay pi+ --> e+ nu is also described., Comment: 5 pages

We present the first measurement of the energy spectrum up to 70 MeV of electrons from the decay of negative muons after they become bound in $^{27}$Al atoms. The data were taken with the TWIST apparatus at TRIUMF. We find a muon lifetime of (864.6 $\pm$ 1.2) ns, in agreement with earlier measurements. The asymmetry of the decay spectrum is consistent with zero, indicating that the atomic capture has completely depolarised the muons. The measured momentum spectrum is in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions at the higher energies, but differences around the peak of the spectrum indicate the need for \oalpha radiative corrections to the calculations. The present measurement is the most precise measurement of the decay spectrum of muons bound to any nucleus.

We present the first measurement of the energy spectrum up to 70 MeV of electrons from the decay of negative muons after they become bound in $^{27}$Al atoms. The data were taken with the TWIST apparatus at TRIUMF. We find a muon lifetime of (864.6 $\pm$ 1.2) ns, in agreement with earlier measurements. The asymmetry of the decay spectrum is consistent with zero, indicating that the atomic capture has completely depolarised the muons. The measured momentum spectrum is in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions at the higher energies, but differences around the peak of the spectrum indicate the need for \oalpha radiative corrections to the calculations. The present measurement is the most precise measurement of the decay spectrum of muons bound to any nucleus.

The TWIST collaboration has performed new measurements of two of the parameters that describe muon decay: $\rho$, which governs the shape of the overall momentum spectrum, and $\delta$, which governs the momentum dependence of the parity-violating decay asymmetry. This analysis gives the results $\rho=0.75014\pm 0.00017(\text{stat})\pm 0.00044(\text{syst})\pm 0.00011(\eta)$, where the last uncertainty arises from the correlation between $\rho$ and the decay parameter $\eta$, and $\delta = 0.75067\pm 0.00030(\text{stat})\pm 0.00067(\text{syst})$. These are consistent with the value of 3/4 given for both parameters in the Standard Model of particle physics, and are a factor of two more precise than the measurements previously published by TWIST. A new global analysis of all available muon decay data incorporating these results is presented. Improved lower and upper limits on the decay parameter $P_\mu^\pi\xi$ of $0.99524 < P_\mu^\pi\xi \leq \xi < 1.00091$ at 90% confidence are determined, where $P_\mu^\pi$ is the polarization of the muon when it is created during pion decay, and $\xi$ governs the muon decay asymmetry. These results set new model-independent constraints on the possible weak interactions of right-handed particles. Specific implications for left-right symmetric models are discussed., Comment: 14 pages, 14 figs, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D

The TWIST collaboration has performed new measurements of two of the parameters that describe muon decay: $\rho$, which governs the shape of the overall momentum spectrum, and $\delta$, which governs the momentum dependence of the parity-violating decay asymmetry. This analysis gives the results $\rho=0.75014\pm 0.00017(\text{stat})\pm 0.00044(\text{syst})\pm 0.00011(\eta)$, where the last uncertainty arises from the correlation between $\rho$ and the decay parameter $\eta$, and $\delta = 0.75067\pm 0.00030(\text{stat})\pm 0.00067(\text{syst})$. These are consistent with the value of 3/4 given for both parameters in the Standard Model of particle physics, and are a factor of two more precise than the measurements previously published by TWIST. A new global analysis of all available muon decay data incorporating these results is presented. Improved lower and upper limits on the decay parameter $P_\mu^\pi\xi$ of $0.99524 < P_\mu^\pi\xi \leq \xi < 1.00091$ at 90% confidence are determined, where $P_\mu^\pi$ is the polarization of the muon when it is created during pion decay, and $\xi$ governs the muon decay asymmetry. These results set new model-independent constraints on the possible weak interactions of right-handed particles. Specific implications for left-right symmetric models are discussed., Comment: 14 pages, 14 figs, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D

The Need for a New Battery Option Any Marine during an after-action report will let you know: the grunts were great and comm stunk. This observation often results from dead batteries. The Marine Corps' dependence on the existing battery selections for radio equipment significantly limits the amount of time operations can be conducted by foot or away from vehicles. The heavy carrying weight and short power life of the current main power source for USMC manpack radios, the BA-5590/U Lithium Sulfur Dioxide (LiSO2), presents challenges to operational planners who rely upon it as the primary battery for tactical radio systems. While the Marine Corps has made significant advances in renewable power sources supporting stationary command posts or vehicle radio systems (VRC/NRC radios), it has not increased the overall power life of the BA-5590. Replacing the BA-5590 would provide adaptability in foot-mobile operations/manpack operations planning. Prolonged reliance on the BA-5590 will continue to restrict commanders' flexibility when planning for dismounted operations.

The quantity P_{mu}^{pi}xi, where xi is one of the muon decay parameters and $P_{\mu}^{\pi}$ is the degree of muon polarization in pion decay, has been measured. The value P_{mu}^{pi}xi = 1.0003 +- 0.0006 stat. +- 0.0038 syst. was obtained. This result agrees with previous measurements but is over a factor of two more precise. It also agrees with the Standard Model prediction for P_{mu}^{pi}xi and thus leads to restrictions on left-right symmetric models., Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, Phys. Rev. D 74, 072007 (2006) Final version

The quantity P_{mu}^{pi}xi, where xi is one of the muon decay parameters and $P_{\mu}^{\pi}$ is the degree of muon polarization in pion decay, has been measured. The value P_{mu}^{pi}xi = 1.0003 +- 0.0006 stat. +- 0.0038 syst. was obtained. This result agrees with previous measurements but is over a factor of two more precise. It also agrees with the Standard Model prediction for P_{mu}^{pi}xi and thus leads to restrictions on left-right symmetric models., Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, Phys. Rev. D 74, 072007 (2006) Final version

We present the final results of an experimental study of µd and µt atom scattering in solid hydrogen cooled to 3 K. Strong effects resulting from the Ramsauer-Townsend effect have been observed in the TRIUMF experiment E742 where muons were stopped in thin frozen layers of hydrogen. The measured Ramsauer-Townsend minimum energy for both µd and µt atoms and the minimum cross section are in agreement with theory

This paper presents the measurement of the scattering of 172 MeV/c muons in assorted materials, including liquid hydrogen, motivated by the need to understand ionisation cooling for muon acceleration. Data are compared with predictions from the Geant 4 simulation code and this simulation is used to deconvolute detector effects. The scattering distributions obtained are compared with the Moliere theory of multiple scattering and, in the case of liquid hydrogen, with ELMS. With the exception of ELMS, none of the models are found to provide a good description of the data. The results suggest that ionisation cooling will work better than would be predicted by Geant 4.7.0p01., Comment: pdfeTeX V 3.141592-1.21a-2.2, 30 pages with 22 figures

This paper presents the measurement of the scattering of 172 MeV/c muons in assorted materials, including liquid hydrogen, motivated by the need to understand ionisation cooling for muon acceleration. Data are compared with predictions from the Geant 4 simulation code and this simulation is used to deconvolute detector effects. The scattering distributions obtained are compared with the Moliere theory of multiple scattering and, in the case of liquid hydrogen, with ELMS. With the exception of ELMS, none of the models are found to provide a good description of the data. The results suggest that ionisation cooling will work better than would be predicted by Geant 4.7.0p01., Comment: pdfeTeX V 3.141592-1.21a-2.2, 30 pages with 22 figures

The muon decay parameter delta has been measured by the TWIST collaboration. We find delta = 0.74964 +- 0.00066(stat.) +- 0.00112(syst.), consistent with the Standard Model value of 3/4. This result implies that the product Pmuxi of the muon polarization in pion decay, Pmu, and the muon decay parameter xi falls within the 90% confidence interval 0.9960 < Pmuxi < xi < 1.0040. It also has implications for left-right-symmetric and other extensions of the Standard Model., Comment: Extended to 5 pages. Referee's comments answered

The muon decay parameter delta has been measured by the TWIST collaboration. We find delta = 0.74964 +- 0.00066(stat.) +- 0.00112(syst.), consistent with the Standard Model value of 3/4. This result implies that the product Pmuxi of the muon polarization in pion decay, Pmu, and the muon decay parameter xi falls within the 90% confidence interval 0.9960 < Pmuxi < xi < 1.0040. It also has implications for left-right-symmetric and other extensions of the Standard Model., Comment: Extended to 5 pages. Referee's comments answered

Studies of muonic hydrogen atoms and molecules have been performed traditionally in bulk targets of gas, liquid or solid. At TRIUMF, Canada's meson facility, we have developed a new type of target system using multilayer thin films of solid hydrogen, which provides a beam of muonic hydrogen atoms in vacuum. Using the time-of-flight of the muonic atoms, the energy-dependent information of muonic reactions are obtained in direct manner. We discuss some unique measurements enabled by the new technique, with emphasis on processes relevant to muon catalyzed fusion., Comment: Contribution to Hydrogen Atom II --- Precise Physics with Simple Atomic Systems (Springer, Berlin)

Resonant formation of $d\mu t$ molecules in collisions of muonic tritium ($\mu t$) on D$_2$ was investigated using a beam of $\mu t$ atoms, demonstrating a new direct approach in muon catalyzed fusion studies. Strong epithermal resonances in $d\mu t$ formation were directly revealed for the first time. From the time-of-flight analysis of $2036\pm 116$ $dt$ fusion events, a formation rate consistent with $0.73\pm (0.16)_{meas} \pm (0.09)_{model}$ times the theoretical prediction was obtained. For the largest peak at a resonance energy of $0.423 \pm 0.037$ eV, this corresponds to a rate of $(7.1 \pm 1.8) \times 10^9$ s$^{-1}$, more than an order of magnitude larger than those at low energies., Comment: To appear in Phys. Rev. Lett

Studies of muonic atoms and muon catalyzed fusion have been conventionally done in a bulk target of gas, liquid or solid hydrogen isotopes. The use of thin film targets developed at TRIUMF have notable advantages in tackling some of the most important questions in the field, which could be further exploited at future high intensity muon sources. We review the technique of the thin film method with emphasis on recent results and a future proposal., Comment: Talk given at KEK International Workshop on High Intensity Muon Sources, HIMUS-99

The TRIUMF solid-hydrogen-layer target system has been used to study the fusion reaction rates in the solid phase of D2 at a target temperature of 3 K. Products of two distinct branches of the reaction were observed: neutrons by a liquid organic scintillator and protons by a silicon detector located inside the target system.

A method is reported for measuring the thickness and uniformity of thin films of solidified gas targets. The energy of alpha particles traversing the film is measured and the energy loss is converted to thickness using the stopping power. The uniformity is determined by measuring the thickness at different positions with an array of sources. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to study the film deposition mechanism. Thickness calibrations for a TRIUMF solid hydrogen target system are presented., Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures (psfig), submitted to Nucl. Intrum. Meth. A

A method is reported for measuring the thickness and uniformity of thin films of solidified gas targets. The energy of alpha particles traversing the film is measured and the energy loss is converted to thickness using the stopping power. The uniformity is determined by measuring the thickness at different positions with an array of sources. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to study the film deposition mechanism. Thickness calibrations for a TRIUMF solid hydrogen target system are presented., Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures (psfig), submitted to Nucl. Intrum. Meth. A

Intracellular proteolytic processing of human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein precursor (gp160) is an essential step for virus infectivity. Northern blot analysis provided evidence that furin and PC1, but not PC2, are expressed in the CD4+ human lymphoblastoid H9 cell line, suggesting the possible participation of these convertases in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp160 proteolytic processing. Purified PC1 and furin cleaved specifically in vitro gp160 into gp120 (HIV-I SU) and gp41 (HIV-I TM). NH2-terminal sequence analysis of the produced gp41 (HIV-I TM) demonstrated that the cleavage occurred within the sequence Arg-Glu-Lys-Arg decreases Ala-Val-Gly-Ile, which is identical to the bond cleaved in vivo. Transition state analog peptides were designed and tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit the PC1- or furin-mediated gp160 cleavage. The best inhibitor was decanoyl-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-psi [CH2NH]-Phe-Leu-Gly-Phe-NH2., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Intracellular proteolytic processing of human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein precursor (gp160) is an essential step for virus infectivity. Northern blot analysis provided evidence that furin and PC1, but not PC2, are expressed in the CD4+ human lymphoblastoid H9 cell line, suggesting the possible participation of these convertases in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp160 proteolytic processing. Purified PC1 and furin cleaved specifically in vitro gp160 into gp120 (HIV-I SU) and gp41 (HIV-I TM). NH2-terminal sequence analysis of the produced gp41 (HIV-I TM) demonstrated that the cleavage occurred within the sequence Arg-Glu-Lys-Arg decreases Ala-Val-Gly-Ile, which is identical to the bond cleaved in vivo. Transition state analog peptides were designed and tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit the PC1- or furin-mediated gp160 cleavage. The best inhibitor was decanoyl-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg-psi [CH2NH]-Phe-Leu-Gly-Phe-NH2., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The oncogene jun encodes a transcription factor of the AP-1 family. In mice carrying viral jun (v-jun) as a transgene, wounding is a prerequisite for tumorigenesis, suggesting collaboration between the transgene and a wound-related event. To define possible candidates for this collaborative process, we examined the effect of several wound-related polypeptide growth factors on cells from transgenic mice. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 alpha induce anchorage independence in embryo fibroblasts and tumor cell revertants from these mice. This effect was specific for the two cytokines and was restricted to cells from v-jun transgenic mice. Anchorage independence required the continued presence of the cytokines. Transfection of transgenic cells with a v-jun expression plasmid also induced anchorage independence and a tumorigenic phenotype in transgenic tumor cell revertants. However, there was no correlation between anchorage independence, expression of Jun, and AP-1 activity. These results suggest that while increased transgene expression can enhance the growth properties of v-jun transgenic cells, there exist other cytokine-dependent mechanisms that have a similar effect. Retinoic acid, dexamethasone, or forskolin inhibits induction of anchorage independence by tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 alpha, and transfected v-jun. Although these agents affect both AP-1 transactivation potential and DNA binding in the transgenic cells, the changes are not correlated with the inhibition of growth., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Wounding is a prerequisite for tumor formation in v-jun transgenic mice. The progression from wound to dermal sarcoma is a multistep process which, at some stage, results in an increase in transgene mRNA expression in tumor tissue. However, transgene expression in individual sarcoma cells stained for Jun protein cultures is heterogeneous. We cloned several cell lines from wound-related v-jun transgenic tumors to determine whether a relationship existed between the cellular growth properties and structure, expression, or function of the transgene. Cell lines with very high v-jun expression had a high cloning efficiency in soft agar and tumorigenicity in nude mice. However, for cell lines with an intermediate or low level of transgene expression there was no correlation between transgene expression and the transformed phenotype. There was also no correlation between transgene expression and individual cell line morphologies, growth rates, transgene genomic DNA copy number, or mRNA expression of jun-related genes. The tumor cell subclones (1-20.2, 3-24.3) with very low transgene expression, very poor cloning efficiency, and low tumorigenicity also showed reduced activator protein 1 DNA binding activity and had an increased expression of endogenous c-jun when compared to other tumor cell lines. Transfection of a v-jun expression vector into cell lines with poor cloning efficiency and low tumorigenicity enhanced both in vitro cloning and in vivo tumor formation. However, such overexpressed v-jun had no effect on NIH3T3 cells. Our studies show that expression of the v-jun transgene contributes to the transformed phenotype of tumor cell lines but that there are additional factors that determine growth properties in culture and in the animal., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Wounding is a prerequisite for tumor formation in v-jun transgenic mice. The progression from wound to dermal sarcoma is a multistep process which, at some stage, results in an increase in transgene mRNA expression in tumor tissue. However, transgene expression in individual sarcoma cells stained for Jun protein cultures is heterogeneous. We cloned several cell lines from wound-related v-jun transgenic tumors to determine whether a relationship existed between the cellular growth properties and structure, expression, or function of the transgene. Cell lines with very high v-jun expression had a high cloning efficiency in soft agar and tumorigenicity in nude mice. However, for cell lines with an intermediate or low level of transgene expression there was no correlation between transgene expression and the transformed phenotype. There was also no correlation between transgene expression and individual cell line morphologies, growth rates, transgene genomic DNA copy number, or mRNA expression of jun-related genes. The tumor cell subclones (1-20.2, 3-24.3) with very low transgene expression, very poor cloning efficiency, and low tumorigenicity also showed reduced activator protein 1 DNA binding activity and had an increased expression of endogenous c-jun when compared to other tumor cell lines. Transfection of a v-jun expression vector into cell lines with poor cloning efficiency and low tumorigenicity enhanced both in vitro cloning and in vivo tumor formation. However, such overexpressed v-jun had no effect on NIH3T3 cells. Our studies show that expression of the v-jun transgene contributes to the transformed phenotype of tumor cell lines but that there are additional factors that determine growth properties in culture and in the animal., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The oncogene jun encodes a transcription factor of the AP-1 family. In mice carrying viral jun (v-jun) as a transgene, wounding is a prerequisite for tumorigenesis, suggesting collaboration between the transgene and a wound-related event. To define possible candidates for this collaborative process, we examined the effect of several wound-related polypeptide growth factors on cells from transgenic mice. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 alpha induce anchorage independence in embryo fibroblasts and tumor cell revertants from these mice. This effect was specific for the two cytokines and was restricted to cells from v-jun transgenic mice. Anchorage independence required the continued presence of the cytokines. Transfection of transgenic cells with a v-jun expression plasmid also induced anchorage independence and a tumorigenic phenotype in transgenic tumor cell revertants. However, there was no correlation between anchorage independence, expression of Jun, and AP-1 activity. These results suggest that while increased transgene expression can enhance the growth properties of v-jun transgenic cells, there exist other cytokine-dependent mechanisms that have a similar effect. Retinoic acid, dexamethasone, or forskolin inhibits induction of anchorage independence by tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 alpha, and transfected v-jun. Although these agents affect both AP-1 transactivation potential and DNA binding in the transgenic cells, the changes are not correlated with the inhibition of growth., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Avian sarcoma virus 17 (ASV17) is an acutely transforming retrovirus which carries the oncogene v-jun. The virus induces fibrosarcomas in chickens at the site of inoculation. Here we describe wound-related tumor formation in 77% of chickens inoculated with ASV17 in one wing and wounded by metal clip insertion in the opposite wing. Tumors from both wound-related and inoculation-related sites were histologically diagnosed as fibrosarcomas. Tissues cultured from both tumor sites produced infectious virus in culture and expressed high levels of the v-Jun oncoprotein detectable by immunofluorescent staining. By varying the time of wounding relative to virus inoculation we defined the early stages of wound healing (2-7 days postinoculation) as favoring wound-related tumor formation. Three other acutely transforming retroviruses containing oncogenes coding for nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases (v-src, v-yes, and v-fps), inoculated in the same manner, induced wound-related tumors in all cases. We conclude that in chickens, ASV17 collaborates with wound healing to promote tumorigenesis by a process which may relate either to a biochemical function of Jun or to a more general, shared characteristic of transforming retroviruses., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Avian sarcoma virus 17 (ASV17) is an acutely transforming retrovirus which carries the oncogene v-jun. The virus induces fibrosarcomas in chickens at the site of inoculation. Here we describe wound-related tumor formation in 77% of chickens inoculated with ASV17 in one wing and wounded by metal clip insertion in the opposite wing. Tumors from both wound-related and inoculation-related sites were histologically diagnosed as fibrosarcomas. Tissues cultured from both tumor sites produced infectious virus in culture and expressed high levels of the v-Jun oncoprotein detectable by immunofluorescent staining. By varying the time of wounding relative to virus inoculation we defined the early stages of wound healing (2-7 days postinoculation) as favoring wound-related tumor formation. Three other acutely transforming retroviruses containing oncogenes coding for nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases (v-src, v-yes, and v-fps), inoculated in the same manner, induced wound-related tumors in all cases. We conclude that in chickens, ASV17 collaborates with wound healing to promote tumorigenesis by a process which may relate either to a biochemical function of Jun or to a more general, shared characteristic of transforming retroviruses., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Overland monthly and Out West magazine. / Volume 13, Issue 4, Page(s) 304-309, (dlps) volume: ahj1472.1-13.004, (dlps) article: ahj1472.1-13.004:3, http://quod.lib.umich.edu/t/text/accesspolicy.html

We present the final results of an experimental study of µd and µt atom scattering in solid hydrogen cooled to 3 K. Strong effects resulting from the Ramsauer-Townsend effect have been observed in the TRIUMF experiment E742 where muons were stopped in thin frozen layers of hydrogen. The measured Ramsauer-Townsend minimum energy for both µd and µt atoms and the minimum cross section are in agreement with theory